Fox Unveils Streaming Plan to Affiliates

Fox rolled out plans Tuesday for a “TV everywhere” service that will enable its affiliates to stream content from the network, along with their local content, on the Web and via a Fox app, TVNewsCheck reports.

“The TV everywhere plan, which is expected to launch this fall, has been in the works for about a year and affiliates started learning about it six months ago,” the piece reports. “Similar to Disney’s Watch ESPN strategy, paid TV subscribers would be able to access local and network content through an app and on the Web. Once authenticated, users could watch a live, linear stream or individual video-on-demand programming.”

The report adds: “The app would use a mobile device’s built-in GPS to restrict local access to that market, says Steve Pruett, chairman of the Fox affiliates board. For example, a user in El Paso, Texas, would be able to receive KFOX local content. If that user opened the app in Denver, however, it would pick up the market location and stream KDVR, that market’s local Fox affiliate.”

Said Michael Hopkins, Fox Networks president of distribution: "We want to make sure our content is on every device, either through the Fox national app, on the Fox Sports Go app or something similar with our entertainment content. If consumers are going to go to a local station site or app, we want our content to be there."

The service would be made available through cable and satellite operators, the report notes. Affiliates would presumably pay Fox for rights to network content.

Hopkins would not provide details about contracts between the network and its affiliates, but commented: "I think, by and large, everyone will be onboard by the fall."

The piece adds: “Fox plans to update its Fox Sports app to include streaming of its national sports coverage, in addition to regional coverage. For example, users in Michigan would be able to watch live Detroit Pistons games from Fox Sports Detroit.”